The New Zealand government has blocked a 390,000-signature petition by Kiwi Party leader Larry Baldock to have a referendum with a view to revising the anti-smacking bill introduced last year.
Prime Minister Helen Clark said such a referendum could not be held before the upcoming elections for logistical reasons. But National leader John Key says Clark is “arrogant” for delaying and saying it was too late.
The petition was presented to parliament house in Wellington this week.
Key has argued that Clark is trying to use a technicality to circumvent peoples' rights. Clark is legally obliged to put off a referendum if it is seen to sway voters on Election Day.
However, Family First NZ have said in a statement that election day was the best time to hold a referendum as holding it separately would be a waste of tax-payer money.
The legislation was introduced by Green MP Sue Bradford and amended section 59 of the Crimes Act to remove the defence of reasonable force for parents who physically discipline their children.
Bradford said the legislation was working well and should not be changed back.
"Over the past couple of years more and more New Zealanders are turning away from using violence in bringing up their children," she told media.
A second review by the police has shown a decrease in the number of smacking events from when the amendment was first introduced. The amendment gave police discretion to judge whether a reported offence warranted prosecution.
The law will have another review in June next year, two years after its introduction.
